Tuning Diary – Day 4

Had a great show at the Garage in London last night with Sunless ’97, supporting Toro Y Moi, from the US. It was a sold out show, and surprisingly it was 3/4 full when we went on first so we played to a big audience (which was nice). However I spent the trip up and back studying the Prof sound’s drum tuning bible, & decided to implement the bible in day 4.

Day 4.

I began at the beginning and took just 1 tom, my 13″, as it tells to concentrate on 1 small first to start to learn how to tune, and not to get this confused with tuning the whole kit. This involves, removing all the heads, eliminating and lug or shell buzz, seating the heads, then experimenting with pitches of the drum, and also results and what they mean. (This is all explained more clearly and in detail, under the section ” Tuning and Seating the Heads, All Drums” onwards).

From this research I learned that I used to just strive to get the pitches on the top head in tune with each other and think this is the drum tuned, so why doesn’t it sound good? Seems stupid but obvious now, so you need to get the top head in tune with it’s self and also the bottom head, and then experiment with taking the whole pitches of each head up and down. Also I found that the bottom head really is the note and how much sustain is gained and the top head is more of the attack.

I also repeated this sequence for my bass drum, seating the head properly then lowering to a desired pitch. Bass drum is much more difficult to hear the different pitches at the lugs, but easier to get an overall sound, right heads help, as a powerstroke on my kick works like a dream, while a pinstripe sounds like tripe.

Tomorrow I will focus on the first tom again, and have a go at my second snare, taking her apart and starting from scratch.

Featured Recordings

Google Reviews

I had my first lesson with Thom the other day, and it was great fun! Thom is patient and calm and made me feel very relaxed. He took me through all the important stating points and help me start improving my technique. By the end of the lesson I could really see how much I had learnt- and he even gave me homework so I can continue to practice at home!
If you want a teacher who is enthusiastic, kind and able to engage with drummers at all levels... Thom is your guy. 10/10/

Thom is an excellent teacher! He taught my son from the age of 7 and he progressed beautifully, enjoying every lesson. He still plays now even as a teenager - Thom did a great job instilling a love of drumming! He is also a thoroughly lovely guy and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Thom was a great teacher for my 7 year old son getting started with drumming. He had him playing his favourite Prodigy track in his first 1 hour lesson! 6 years on he's now doing his grade 6. Thom has a relaxed and friendly style and is a great teacher

Thom has been teaching my son Jake the drums for 3 years. Having had several different teachers in the past, Thom is the one we have stuck with.
Jake says "Thom puts him at ease and makes the lessons enjoyable whilst still challenging him. He is also a touring drummer so has lots of experience not only playing the drums, but also the things that come with that."
Hes a nice guy and we both thoroughly recommend him.

I have worked with Thom Mills over the past 20 years in various projects and had personal lessons from him at various stages of my life. His musical sensibility is nothing short of rhythmical genius and his mastery of his craft leaves my jaw on the floor every time.
He is committed, talented and passionate. Three things that real musicians of this age lack constantly. His sympathetic attitude for all levels of musical ability allows him to connect with any student of any skill level.
It’s been a true joy and pleasure working with him and knowing him. I’ll continue to watch his career thrive throughout the ages as I have done so for the last two decades!